The Why Behind Marriage
If you have never read the book “The Sacred Search”By Gary Thomas, I would recommend everyone to read it. It really addresses ensuring you are marrying someone for the right reasons and not just for surface level ideas that won’t last.
I wanted to post a little preview of the book and would highly suggest going out and buying yourself a copy if you are hoping to get married in the near future. Then I would really reflect on The Why Behind Marriage. My husband and I have our 2 year wedding anniversary coming up and I have learned a lot the past two years about marriage.
I love marriage. I have learned so much these past two years about marriage. About the joys, and the struggles and the reality of marriage. We were brought up in a time of “Happily ever afters” without the actual picture of the work in between. Marriage is great, but marriage is also work.
The more you understand the why behind marriage, the more you will understand what marriage takes and what it is all about. Two years later I can honestly say the best decision I made was going after a man who exemplified the characteristics of a Godly man, rather than the surface level lust, idea of someone or a false narrative I had made in my own head.
When you are married to someone who is selfless, who honors, respects you, and wants nothing more to serve you and God together, life changes. Jesus came to serve us, so we are to come to serve one another.
A marriage built on this will last the test of time, but a marriage built on ideas, false narratives, or lists that won’t matter in the long run will serve as a temporary fix for an ongoing problem. Just as we need Jesus as our firm foundation we also need to find a marriage that is built on that firm foundation.
A marriage built on anything but Jesus and the things that Jesus values, will only cause more harm in your life than good.
So what is the The Why Behind Marriage that Gary Thomas talks about?
Here is a paragraph from the book
“A home established on Matthew 6:33 is a glorious thing. While this verse contains a command, it’s also an exciting promise of a rich and meaningful life. When husband and wife are committed in Christ, growing together in the Lord, supporting each other in their spiritual walks, raising children in the fear of the Lord, loving each other out of reverence for God, joy abounds and miracles happen.
Selfish people become servants. Self-centered children grow up to become workers in God’s kingdom. Strangers become intimate friends. Daily life is filled with the drama of kingdom building. There are plenty of mistakes, lots of repenting, times of frustration, sickness, and even doubts.
But in the end, God’s presence prevails, people are transformed, kingdom work is accomplished, and trials are overcome. If two people join themselves around this mission—if they make their marital choice based on the best person with whom they can accomplish this mission—they are far more likely to have a fulfilling and soul-building marriage.”
Have you ever thought about the Why behind marriage? I would encourage you to pick up a copy of his book, and really reflect on the why behind marriage, but also that your heart and motive are right.
Written By Michelle Apples
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